Top 12 Sustainable Fashion Documentaries That Will Touch Your Heart

This outstanding documentary, directed by Andrew Morgan, dives deep into the hidden costs of fast fashion. True Cost tells the story of the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the environmental impact of the fashion industry. It raises awareness about garment workers’ conditions in developing countries and the destruction fast fashion brings to the planet. Available on Amazon Prime, it’s a must-watch that will change how you think about your wardrobe.

New to sustainable fashion? Start with this short, punchy episode from Netflix’s “The Future Of” series. The episode titled “Fashion” offers an easy-to-digest introduction to the fast fashion crisis and showcases emerging alternatives. It’s a quick, engaging way to understand how disposable fashion is being reimagined by designers and researchers who are pushing for change in the industry.

In this inspiring five-part docuseries, Andrew Morgan and Livia Firth travel the globe to explore the sustainable fashion movement. From wool producers in Tasmania to female artisans in Guatemala, Fashionscapes shines a light on the incredible efforts made by people around the world to create a circular fashion economy. This series will make you rethink how clothes are made and consumed, giving you hope for a better fashion future.

Produced by AEG, The Next Black explores the future of fashion by featuring heroes of sustainability like Patagonia, Studio XO, and Adidas. This forward-thinking documentary explores everything from Lady Gaga’s famous bubble-making dress to fabrics brewed in bacteria. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in how technology and sustainability can shape the future of fashion.

VPRO Documentary’s Where the Future of Fashion is Headed presents innovative solutions to the fashion industry’s environmental and ethical issues. The film features pioneers like Vin + Omi, who create garments from plants and plastic bottles, and designer Jasna Rokegem, who’s working on a garment that never needs washing. It’s an exciting dive into the future of sustainable fashion that will leave you inspired by the possibilities.

This fascinating documentary by Reggie Yates dives into the world of fur and exotic animal skins in fashion. Inside the Billionaire’s Wardrobe takes viewers from Siberia to Indonesia, revealing the harsh reality behind the global fur industry and the lives of the animals involved. A great documentary for anyone who wants to question their choices when it comes to fur and leather in fashion.

After the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh, journalist Sarah Ferguson goes on a mission to uncover the truth behind the supply chains of Australian fashion brands. The documentary features heartbreaking stories from survivors of the collapse and highlights the dangerous working conditions many garment workers face. Fashion Victims is a must-watch for those wanting to understand the human cost of fast fashion.

Former Blur bassist Alex James asks the essential question: what can we do to slow down the fast fashion cycle? In this documentary, Alex takes a closer look at how society and individuals can make conscious choices about the clothes we wear. From exploring sustainable materials to asking hard questions about supply chains, this film is a personal journey that will inspire you to take action.

This heartwarming yet insightful documentary takes you to Panipat, India, where donated clothing from the West ends up for recycling. Unravel follows local women working in the recycle facilities as they process tons of cast-off garments. Despite their humble surroundings, the women bring a lighthearted and cheerful tone to the film, sharing their surprise at the excess of clothing that arrives—some of it hardly worn. Their curiosity and humor, like wondering why Westerners would send clothes because of a “water shortage,” add a unique perspective on the global fashion waste problem. This short documentary offers a rare glimpse into the journey your donated clothing takes and the cultural perceptions surrounding it, making it both eye-opening and heartwarming.